Wheel hub assembly

ABSTRACT

A wheel hub assembly is fitted to a vehicle axle via a wheel bearing mounted on the axle. The assembly includes a hub mountable on the wheel bearing and rotatable relative to the vehicle axle and fastening members to releasably secure the hub relative to the wheel bearing. The hub can be removed without removing the wheel bearing.

The present invention relates to a wheel hub assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheel hub assembly for fitment to a vehicle axle.

Known hub assemblies for vehicles, particularly large commercial vehicles, comprise a bearing having a split inner race mounted on a vehicle axle with a hub for mounting a vehicle wheel mounted to the outer race of the bearing. A lip on the hub positioned inboard of the bearing prevents the hub being removed in an outboard direction without the bearing being simultaneously removed.

It is not uncommon for hub removal to be necessary, for example to permit the replacement of a worn brake disc mounted inboard of the hub. Therefore, the need to remove the bearing results in a relatively high disassembly time. Since split-race bearings are usually used, the most significant time overhead occurs during re-assembly, however. This is because it is necessary to apply an accurate, predetermined amount of compressive force between the two inner races. If an antilock braking system (ABS) sensor is provided on the bearing, the disassembly and re-assembly procedure is further complicated.

The present invention seeks to overcome, or at least mitigate, the problems of the prior art.

One aspect of the present invention provides a wheel hub assembly for fitment to a vehicle axle via a wheel bearing mounted on said axle, the assembly comprising a hub mountable on the bearing and rotatable relative to the axle and fastening means to releasably secure the hub relative to the bearing, wherein the assembly is arranged such that the hub is capable of being removed without the necessity of removing the bearing.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through the axis of rotation of a prior art axle and hub assembly;

FIGS. 2 to 5 are cross-sectional views through the rotational axis of a hub assembly according to four different embodiments of the present invention.

As used throughout, the terms “inboard” and “outboard” denote the relative positions of components along axis A-A of the hub assemblies with respect to a vehicle on which the assembly is mounted. The terms “inner” and “outer” are used to denote the relative radial inner and outer positions of components transverse to axis A-A.

Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art wheel hub assembly 10 is shown mounted on axle 12 of a vehicle. A drive shaft 14 rotatable about axis A-A is drivingly connected to the hub assembly 10 via a drive shaft end plate 16 rotationally and axially fast with drive shaft 14 and by fastening means such as bolts 20, 20′ as is well known. Typically, a cap 18 covers the end of the drive shaft 14 to protect from the ingress of dust and the like.

Certain voids within the assembly 10 are packed with grease for lubrication. Bolts 20, 20′ screw directly into bores provided in the outboard end of a hub 22 of the hub assembly 10. The hub also rotates about axis A-A and is provided with an annular surface to which a vehicle wheel may be secured using wheel studs 24, 24′. A brake disc 30, which is part of a disc brake mechanism (not shown), is non-rotatably mounted relative to the hub 22 by a bolted connection.

The weight of the vehicle is transmitted from axle 12 to the hub 22 and wheel via a rotating element taper roller bearing 34 mounted towards the outboard end of axle 12. The bearing comprises a split inner race having an inboard portion 36 a and an outboard portion 36 b, taper rollers 38 and a unitary outer race 40. The bearing 34 is retained on the axle 12 by the use of a nut 32 threadedly mounted to the outboard end of the axle 12. The nut is screwed on to the outboard end of the axle 12 and a predetermined amount of torque is applied thereto so as to set the amount of radial compression load applied to taper rollers 38.

It can be seen from FIG. 1 that movement of the hub 22 relative to bearing 34 in the outboard direction is restricted by a radially inwardly directed lip 42 provided on the inboard end of the hub that engages with the inboard face of outer race 40. Clearly, this prevents removal of the hub 22 from axle 12 without nut 32 and bearing 34 also being removed. It is apparent that this significantly increases the disassembly time and in particular significantly increases the re-assembly time due to the care with which nut 32 must be secured to the axle in order to retain the bearing 34 with the required compression load. Movement of the hub 22 in the inboard direction is prevented by plate 16 cooperating with a spacer 33.

Turning now to FIG. 2, which illustrates a hub assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, like numerals denote like parts with the addition of the prefix ‘1’. Only differences between the assembly of FIG. 2 with respect to FIG. 1 are discussed in any detail below.

It can be seen from FIG. 2 that an additional bearing sleeve 150 is mounted intermediate bearing 134 and hub 122 to form part of hub assembly 110. Outboard movement of the sleeve 150 relative to the bearing is restricted by inwardly directed lip 142. Brake disc 130 is splined on to the inboard end of sleeve 150 and is restrained from inboard movement by a circlip 148 or other suitable means. In alternative classes of embodiment, suitable alternative means of preventing relative rotation between hub 122 and disc 130 may be provided.

Hub 122 is retained in position due to the fact that a plurality of bolts 120 arranged around the periphery of the drive shaft head (or flange) 116 screw into a radially inwardly directed flange 123 of the hub interposed between drive shaft head or flange 116 on the sleeve, and thence into corresponding threaded bores provided in the sleeve 150. Inboard movement of the hub 122 relative to the bearing is restricted due to inwardly directed flange 123 engaging the outboard end of the bearing outer race 140. The inboard end of hub 122 abuts the disc 130 to substantially prevent outboard movement of the disc.

Thus, it is apparent that by unscrewing bolts 120 and removing drive shaft head 116, and drive shaft 114, hub 122 and disc 130 can be slid in an outboard direction off sleeve 150 with nut 132 and bearing 134 remaining in place. The process can then simply be reversed to permit re-assembly again without interfering with either the bearing 134 or nut 132.

Turning now to a second embodiment of the present invention as illustrated by FIG. 3, like numerals have been used for like parts with the addition of the prefix ‘2’. Thus, only those differences of the embodiment of FIG. 3 with respect to FIG. 2 are described in greater detail.

In this embodiment, the width of hub 222 is substantially reduced and a separate hub retainer 252 a and separate spacer rings 252 b and 252 c are provided to maintain the relative positions of hub 222 and disc 230, as well as the position of the hub and disc relative to the axle 212. The hub retainer 252 a is provided with an inwardly directed flange 223 with bores through which bolts 220 may be inserted. In this way, both the offset B between brake disc 230 and the hub 222 may be adjusted, as can the overall axle track T between corresponding wheels at either end of the same axle. In order to ensure that relative rotational movement between disc 230 and hub 222 is prevented, both the disc and the hub are in this embodiment splined on to sleeve 250.

Referring to a third embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 4, again, like numerals have been used for like parts, but with the addition of the prefix ‘3’.

The third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 4 corresponds largely to the first embodiment of FIG. 2 except that no separate sleeve 150 is provided. Instead, the outer race 340 of bearing 334 is enlarged so as to carry the disc 330, hub 322 and circlip 348. Outer race 340 is furthermore provided with threaded bores in which bolts 320 may be directly secured. One advantage of this embodiment is that the axial position of disc 330 is more easily controlled since there are fewer components on which tolerance errors in the axial direction may arise.

Turning now to a fourth embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 5, like numerals have been used for like parts with the addition of the prefix ‘4’.

This embodiment is similar to the second embodiment of the present invention except that separate sleeve 250 is dispensed with, and outer race 440 of bearing 434 is enlarged to carry brake disc 430, hub 422, circlip 448, hub retainer 452 a and spacers 452 b and 452 c. As in the second embodiment, both the brake offset and axle track may be adjusted by using retainer 452 a and spacers 452 b and 452 c having differing axial lengths.

Advantageously sleeves 150 and 250 of FIGS. 2 and 3 are manufactured from lower cost steel that reduces overall materials cost of the assemblies shown in the FIGS. 2 and 3 compared with the assemblies shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The assemblies of FIGS. 4 and 5 by contrast comprise fewer components and are therefore easier to assemble than those of the FIGS. 2 and 3.

It is thus also apparent that in the second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, both the hub and brake disc may be removed without the necessity of also removing the bearing in a similar manner to the first embodiment.

It should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the assemblies may be adapted for use with non-driven axles in which the drive shaft is omitted, and unbraked axles in which the brake disc is omitted. The assemblies may also be adapted for use with other braking types, such as drum brakes in particular. If the end plate is omitted, inboard movement of the hub may be prevented in those embodiments comprising a sleeve, by ensuring that a lip on the sleeve, hub, or hub retainer engages the bearing outer race in the radially inward direction or by providing an end cover. It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to use in conjunction with split race bearings. In particular the bearing outer race associated with the outboard set of rotating elements need not be unitary with the bearing outer race associated with the inboard set of rotating elements i.e. two single row rotation element bearings could be used. Furthermore, the brake disc may be non-rotatably secured directly on to the hub using a spline connection or the like rather than on to the bearing outer race or the sleeve. 

1. A wheel hub assembly for fitment to a vehicle axle via a wheel bearing mounted on the vehicle axle, the wheel hub assembly comprising: a hub mountable on the wheel bearing and rotatable relative to the vehicle axle; a hub retainer separate from the hub; and a fastener that secures the hub retainer to releasably secure the hub relative to the wheel bearing, wherein the hub is removable without removing the wheel bearing.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a bearing sleeve mounted radially intermediate the wheel bearing and the hub.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The assembly according to claim 2 wherein the fastener releasably secures the hub retainer to the bearing sleeve.
 5. The assembly according to claim 2 wherein the bearing sleeve comprises a formation to restrict movement of the bearing sleeve relative to the wheel bearing in at least one axial direction.
 6. The assembly according to claim 5 wherein the formation comprises a radially inwardly directed projection.
 7. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising the wheel bearing mountable on the vehicle axle.
 8. The assembly according to claim 7 wherein the fastener releasably secures the hub to the wheel bearing.
 9. The assembly according to claim 7 wherein the fastener releasably secures the hub retainer to the wheel bearing.
 10. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a brake disc, wherein the brake disc is removable without removing the wheel bearing.
 11. An axle assembly comprising: a vehicle axle; a wheel hearing mounted on the vehicle axle; and a wheel hub assembly for fitment to the vehicle axle via the wheel bearing, the wheel hub assembly comprising: a hub mountable on the wheel bearing and rotatable relative to the vehicle axle; a hub retainer separate from the hub; and a fastener that secures the hub retainer to releasably secure the hub relative to the wheel bearing, wherein the hub is removable without removing the wheel bearing.
 12. (canceled)
 13. A wheel hub assembly for fitment to a vehicle axle via a wheel bearing mounted on the vehicle axle, the wheel hub assembly comprising: a hub; and a brake disc mountable on the wheel bearing and rotatable relative to the vehicle axle, and the brake disc is slidable relative to the wheel bearing, wherein the hub and the brake disc are removable without removing the wheel bearing.
 14. The assembly as recited in claim 13 further comprising a bearing sleeve mounted radially intermediate the wheel bearing and the hub.
 15. The assembly according to claim 14 wherein the brake disc is slidable on the bearing sleeve. 